Imagine the amount of time kids spend on TV, gaming, social media, etc. The screen time average keeps increasing and the ways to overcome this issue seem to be not working. This is killing creativity in students, making them lonely, which leads to various mental health issues. Besides screen time, there is nonending academic pressure.
At the same time, they face stiff targets in extracurriculars and are under constant pressure to be an A-grader in whatever they take up. Seeing this, one of the new concepts that campuses are focusing on is the gardens. Yes, campus gardens, whether in school or university, are working wonders for their mental health and overall well-being. It gives them the new energy and zeal to stay positive and perform better in everything that they take up. Here’s how.
Much-needed connection with nature
Cities are expanding at the cost of green areas. Due to the lack of parks and other reserved areas like mini-forests, many students, especially in urban areas, are losing contact with nature. Various studies show that being in nature has both mental and physical healing benefits. Planting seeds, caring, watering, and then watching them grow is like nirvana. It evokes a sense of interest in how the process works. This provides them with a complete break from the stress while offering peace and calm.
Stress kills creativity and leads to poor academic results. Along with campus gardens, there should be guidance on handling assignment and exam stress too. For writing, the essay help UK services are the best option. EduBirdie is a known name in this field that students trust when they are reeling under pressure. Asking for essay writing help when there’s too much to handle is a wise decision. There are deadlines, lack of language skills, sports commitments and so much more that have to be handled so seeking external help is the best choice.
Mindfulness and being present
Gardening is a soothing activity. The daily care involves digging, adding manure/fertilizer, and watering to help students focus on the present. This natural mindfulness is known to lower anxiety. This allows them to remain in the present while forgetting the worries of the past or future. Their mind becomes capable of absorbing the present information better.
Sense of achievement
Growing a plant from a seed to caring till the time it bears flowers and fruits is an achievement. For students, it reflects success and has an impact on their personal growth. Seeing the results of their hard work cements the belief that efforts never go in vain and they will bring out good results at some point.
Physical activity
Physical and mental health are interlinked. Various activities like bending, lifting, digging, and walking around the garden are nothing less than good exercise. Sometimes, it might even take an hour or more if the garden is big. It can be compared to a mild-to-mid-level gym session. Various studies show that it is beneficial to their mental and physical health.
Social skills and teamwork
Gardens at schools are usually big and this means they need groups for complete maintenance. While working as a team, students learn to share tasks, delegate, manage resources, and solve problems together. They discuss failures and successes in the same light. They don’t spot a particular person for success or failure. This is a perfect example of teamwork. It sets them on the path to learning its intricacies, which has a direct benefit in their careers.
Sensory experience
Gardens engage the senses. There’s calmness in greenery, smell in flowers, sound when leaves rustle, and also the taste of fresh produce. When the garden is beautiful, it is obvious that beautiful birds, insects, and butterflies will also be attracted to it. All this evokes sensory stimulation. It is amazingly calming and grounding for every student involved in gardening. For students with sensory processing issues, there is no better way than this to overcome the common condition-specific challenges.
Responsibility and routine
The garden does not develop in a day and once it is developed, its maintenance is not a one-day activity. The garden requires work all through the year and with different seasons, it can get even heavier. Success in campus gardens can be achieved only if it is attended with full responsibility and timely care.
Conclusion
As you can see, campus gardens are changing the way students manage academic and extracurricular activities-related stress. When connected to gardens, they get distracted from the usual low phases in life. They become more responsible and attentive. So if your campus does not have a garden for students or a program relating to it, bring on one now. The parents should also talk to the campus authorities about getting these programs introduced.
Author’s Bio
Brandon Kryeger is a content creator and social media expert working for a top branding agency. He has plenty of experience in the field and a keen approach to delivering perfect results which makes him a top performer in the field. He’s into part-time essay writing too and his results are equally good there with a lot of returning customers.
